Recap - 'Dexter': 'Teenage Wasteland'

The episode begins with Dexter running in a gym. He reveals that normally running soothes him but explains that today is different, because he is with Jordan Chase. "When I scheduled a private session with Jordan Chase I wasn't looking for advice, just proof," he says. "Evidence of exactly how he was involved in Lumen's torture. Because the code requires certainty. I just wanted access to his office, the inner sanctum where I could find clues. Instead I'm stuck here running in place."

Jordan notices that Dexter is frustrated and tells him that exercise tears down defences and brings out people's feelings. Dexter suggests that he would be more comfortable talking on a coach but Jordan tells him they need to build a new Dexter following the trauma which fractured him. He says that trauma is also an opportunity. "I know for a fact," he adds. Dexter asks Jordan what happened to him and Jordan is reluctant to say, but eventually admits that he learned about the notion of the fractured self from Plato. "I ran with it - boom, a million copies sold," he says. The pair head into the changing rooms and as Dexter thinks that Jordan is a "tough nut to crack", Jordan says the same thing about Dexter. When Jordan opens his locker, Dexter spots a necklace with what looks like blood inside it. He realizes that he needs to get his hands on the vial and asks when he can see Jordan again. Jordan tells him to book an appointment with his receptionist. At reception, Dexter books an appointment for 10am the next morning and notices a lot of security guards hanging around. "No surprise," he thinks. "Lumen and I have been knocking off his friends one by one."

Dexter calls Lumen from the car and explains that there are a lot of security guards, but reveals that he is planning to look at Jordan's blood necklace when he is in the shower. He explains that he just needs to extract a sample to check the DNA. He says that it probably belongs to a victim but points out that it must be important because Jordan is wearing it around his neck. Suddenly, Lumen realizes that there is someone at the kitchen door. Dexter tells her to go out the front, but she realizes there is someone there as well. Dexter tells her to hide in the bathroom and she runs there, picking up a knife from the kitchen on her way. The people break in and Lumen stands in the corner, raising the knife. The light turns on and it emerges that the intruders are Lumen and her friend, Olivia. The pair drop a bottle of liquor on the floor.

Soon, Dexter gets home and explains that Lumen is renting the house. Olivia complains that Astor said the house was empty and she replies: "I thought it was. How was I supposed to know he got a girlfriend so fast?" Dexter insists that Lumen is a tenant and asks how they got to the house and where they got the alcohol. Olivia admits that they stole it from her house and drunkenly sits down. The pair explain that their guardians think they are at each others' houses. Astor begs Dexter not to call her grandparents until the morning and Lumen points out that the girls need to stay the night and sober up. Dexter decides to stay too and Astor asks: "With her?" She runs off to be sick. Lumen guides Olivia to a bedroom and Dexter sits down, banging his head on the kitchen table. Harry appears and advises Dexter to get the girls out of there. "Tomorrow you're collecting evidence on a violent murderer you plan to kill," he says. "Do you really want a hungover preteen in the middle of that?" Dexter points out that he can't turn Astor away because she came to him. "There's a reason serial killers don't have children," Harry reminds him. "You can't be a killer and dad. Haven't you learned anything? Her mother's dead because of you." Dexter explains that he has to make that up to Astor by being a good father. Lumen returns and Dexter explains that he is going to pick up Harrison.

The next morning, Deb storms around Quinn's apartment and admits that she is worried about her meeting with the union rep because she believes she will get fired. Quinn promises her that everything will be OK, adding: "You'll get your job back, everyone at the station is on your side, you've got a boyfriend who loves you." Deb is shocked by his declaration and Quinn suggests that it just slipped out. Deb leaves quickly. When she has gone, Liddy calls Quinn and reveals that he spotted Lumen and Dexter on a boat in the middle of the night. Quinn claims that he can't meet up now and suggests that he will call Liddy later.

Meanwhile, Lumen is cooking scrambled eggs for the girls and Dexter tells her that he is planning to keep his appointment with Jordan because there won't be another chance to get the blood. He asks Lumen for advice on dealing with teenage girls and she tells him to talk to her, share something with her and cut her some slack. Olivia and Astor appear and Lumen serves the eggs. Dexter explains that he has to go to a meeting but asks to spend the day with Astor afterward so that they can talk. Astor asks if Harrison can come and Dexter promises to call Sonya and explain that there has been a change of plans. Harrison drops his toy and as Lumen hands it back to him, he says: "Mumma." Astor is shocked, while Lumen insists that she barely knows Harrison. Astor yells that she is not stupid and tells Dexter: "If you were the one who died I really doubt mom would have brought in a tenant so fast." She storms off and Dexter leaves for his appointment with Jordan. Lumen promises that she can handle the girls.

At the station, Deb returns from her meeting with the union rep and tells Batista that she is being stuck in the file room until after her hearing. Batista points out that it is good news that she hasn't been fired, but Deb replies that everyone still thinks she is responsible for the problems in the nightclub. Batista informs her that his report backed Deb 100% but the "brass" backed Laguerta. Deb thanks him and heads off to the file room, making a pointed remark about being a "real f**king detective" as she walks past Cira. In the file room, she meets Francis and the pair begin talking about Quinn. Deb admits that she didn't say "I love you" back because she is worried she might feel the same way as Quinn. She begins filing the cases and gets the barrel girl file out. Francis reminds her to file it under closed cases, not begin reading it.

Dexter and Jordan finish their running session and go to the changing rooms. Jordan tells him that he feels Dexter is becoming more open but is still not being completely honest. As he goes to shower, Dexter hurriedly opens up Jordan's locker and uses a needle to take a sample of blood. "He won't even know it's missing," he thinks. Suddenly, Dexter hears Jordan turn off the shower and quickly packs up. Jordan returns just as Dexter has finished and Dexter announces that he has to get back to work. As he rushes off, Jordan asks when their next appointment will be and Dexter promises to talk to the receptionist. When he has gone, Jordan realizes that his locker door is ajar. He looks at the blood necklace suspiciously. As he puts it on, he notices a spot of blood on his finger and looks after Dexter.

Francis returns to the file room and discovers Deb reading the barrel girl case. As she begins to reprimand her, Deb points out that DNA results show multiple DNA strands. She suggests that there were multiple perpetrators but they pinned it on just one. She takes the file up to Batista and Masuka and explains that the final coroner's report came through after they closed the case. She points out that there are similarities between Cole Harmon's DNA and some of the DNA in the barrel case. Masuka agrees that it looks like at least five or six people could be involved. Batista admits that they will have to reopen the case but Deb points out that she is supposed to be on file duty and can't talk to Laguerta. Masuka also refuses so Batista promises to talk to her.

Dexter arrives at work late and tells Masuka about Astor showing up drunk. He begins to check out the blood sample from Jordan's necklace and tells Masuka that it belongs to a homicide victim he forgot to process. However, he is interrupted when Lumen calls and tells him that the girls have gone missing. She explains that she took Harrison to the store to get them some medicine for their hangovers, but they were gone when she got back. She adds that the back door is open and their cellphones are still there. Dexter promises to get there soon. When he arrives, he discovers Lumen standing with his neighbor Elliot. Elliot explains that he saw a man near the house with a white van and explains that he got a partial registration. He admits that he thought it was just a painter. Dexter goes inside to look for signs of a break-in and worries that Jordan or the other men were involved. He points out that someone could have come looking for him and Lumen. "I shouldn't have stolen that blood sample, not with the girls here," he says anxiously. He decides to call the police but Lumen begs him not to, pointing out that the officers will trace everything back to them. Dexter rings anyway.

At the station, Dexter explains that he tried to call Olivia's parents but couldn't get through and didn't want to tell Astor's grandparents that she is missing. Deb asks Dexter where he was when they were taken and he realizes that he can't lie because Astor's life is in danger. He admits that he was with Jordan, explaining that he offered him some private sessions to help him deal with Rita's death. Deb and Batista exchange glances and Deb warns that a lot of "f**ked up people" are circling Jordan. Laguerta is surprised and suggests that they cleared Cole Harmon, but Batista admits that they might have been premature. Dexter begs them to focus on the van.

Meanwhile, the van driver stops to get some gas and is apprehended by the police. When he arrives at the station, Dexter storms out to the man - Barry - and pushes him up against the car, warning that he will kill him if he hurt Astor. Barry explains that he was just looking for the girls. He reveals that he is Olivia's stepfather and followed the GPS on her cellphone to Dexter's house when she went missing. He explains that he was looking for her when the police arrested him. He suggests that they will be "causing trouble" and adds that Olivia has been nothing but a pain since Astor moved in down the street. Dexter's phone rings and he reveals that the girls are being held for shoplifting. Dexter, Deb and Barry arrive to pick them up and Astor and Olivia insist that they didn't steal anything and it was a mistake. Barry decides to take Olivia home but she points out that all her stuff is at Dexter's house. Dexter offers to take the girls back to his while Barry gets his van outside of the compound. They agree to meet later.

Batista arrives in Laguerta's office and she asks what he and Deb were talking about earlier with regard to the barrel case. Batista admits that Deb found some new evidence in the file room. Laguerta complains that Deb was only supposed to be filing but "magically" found evidence to reopen a case she knows Laguerta closed. "She's trying to get back at me," she mutters. Batista points out that Deb couldn't make up the DNA evidence and they need to reopen the case. "I disagree," Laguerta replies. "Changing five names on the murder board from black to red isn't going to help this department." Batista asks: "This department, or you?"

Dexter and Deb arrive home with the girls and explain the situation to Lumen. Deb asks to be introduced and Astor tells her: "That's what I was telling you about - his new girlfriend." Dexter again insists that Lumen is his tenant, and Lumen decides to go to check on the girls. When she has gone, Deb admits that she is skeptical Lumen is just Dexter's tenant and asks why he is keeping her a secret. She points out that they asked at the station who he was hanging around with and Dexter didn't mention Lumen. Dexter points out that he didn't think it was relevant because she didn't take the girls. Deb explains that she understands rebounds but points out that it's a little too soon after Rita's death. "I'm not on the rebound," Dexter insists. "There's nothing going on." Deb gives up and heads back to the station. "Deb knows about my partner in crime," Dexter thinks. "The whole station knows I'm seeing Jordan Chase. This is not my day." He calls in Astor and asks what's going on with her. He asks why Barry thinks she is a bad influence and she describes him as an "a**hole". "This is not a good path you're headed down here," Dexter says. "Look, just tell me what's wrong, OK? I'm actually a good listener." Astor replies that what is wrong is that Rita got murdered and Dexter has moved Lumen into his house and is pretending she is his tenant. Dexter says that she is, and when Astor swears at him, he replies: "You cannot talk to me that way." Astor complains that he is supposed to be a good listener and announces that she doesn't want to talk anymore. Dexter replies that they will just sit there until she does.

In the other room, Lumen asks Olivia if she is ready to go home and Olivia admits: "Not really." Lumen tells her that she ran away once and ditched her own wedding, but Olivia says that she didn't run away. She takes off her top and Lumen suddenly notices bruises on her stomach. She asks Olivia who did that to her and Olivia replies: "You don't know what you're talking about." Lumen sits next to her on the bed and says: "Actually, I really do." Afterward, she goes into the living area and tells Dexter about Olivia's bruises. "She told you?" Astor asks. "I saw," Lumen replies. She goes back to Olivia and Astor begs Dexter not to say anything because she does not want "him" to hurt Olivia more. Dexter asks who has been doing it and she replies: "Barry, who do you think? He is an a**hole." She adds that Barry always hits Olivia in places that don't show and her mother has no idea. She admits that she didn't tell Dexter because she didn't think he'd care. "Even when we all lived here you were so busy out doing stuff all the time," she says. "Olivia's my friend, my only friend since mom died. I wanted to help her and I didn't know what to do." Dexter replies that he does care and adds: "You did know what to do. You came home." He promises to take care of it.

Deb returns to the station and asks Batista what Laguerta said about the barrel case. Batista admits that she refused to reopen the case because she thinks Deb has a vendetta against her. He advises Deb to let her cool off, but Deb storms into Laguerta's office and shouts at her. "Did you even read the file?" she asks. "There's f**king proof." Laguerta tells her to watch her tone, but Deb continues: "You know, you throwing me under the bus for the Fuentes brothers, using your husband as a chess piece, putting Quinn on bogus vacation days so I don't have a partner - if that's all a game to you I'll try to understand it, but those girls are dead. Don't you want to make sure that doesn't happen again? What the f**k are we doing here?" Laguerta agrees to reopen the case but adds: "You need to hear me because you have no idea what you're talking about. I made the Fuentes situation go away because I was trying to help Batista. As far as Quinn goes, he wasn't on vacation. I suspended him to protect your brother." She refuses to say anything else and tells Deb to ask Quinn. Deb leaves and asks to speak to Quinn in private. In an interrogation room, she asks if he was on suspension because of something to do with Dexter. Quinn admits that he was investigating Rita's murder and Laguerta told him to back off, but suspended him when he didn't. Deb asks what the lead was but Quinn explains that it doesn't matter because it didn't pan out. Deb points out that Laguerta said she was protecting Dexter and asks why she would say that. Quinn admits that he was investigating whether Dexter was involved in Rita's murder. "Nothing came of it so I dropped it," he says. "I'm an idiot, OK?" Deb replies: "Yeah, you are", and storms out. Liddy rings Quinn, but he ignores the call.

That evening, Dexter meets Barry but explains that he wanted to speak to him parent-to-parent before handing Olivia back. They walk down an alley and Barry suggests that sometimes you have to show teenage girls who's boss. "Is that what you do to Olivia?" Dexter asks. "Show her who's boss?" Barry asks what he means and Dexter reveals that he knows about the bruises. Barry claims that he doesn't know what Dexter is talking about, but Dexter begins punching and beating him. He orders Barry to call Olivia's mother and break up with her. "Say you're sick of her fat ass and can't stand to look it at anymore," he says. "And make her believe it, because one day she may take you back." He adds that Barry isn't even going to stop by to pick up his stuff. "Tomorrow when I drop Olivia off you will be gone," he says. "If you ever come back, believe me I won't go so easy next time." He kicks him one last time and gets into his car. Harry appears and admits that he is proud of Dexter. "You protected Astor," he says. "You put yourself out there for another person. I had no idea you had that in you. I underestimated you, assumed you were a monster when you were capable of so much more. If only I'd seen that, maybe I wouldn't have led you down this path."

Quinn arrives home and discovers Liddy sitting in his apartment. Liddy reveals that he brought the photographs of Lumen and Dexter on the boat and Quinn asks what's in the bags. Liddy admits that he expects it is narcotics but could be a body, but Quinn tells him that he's crazy. He adds that it was a bad idea and pays Liddy some money, describing it as a "severance package". Liddy warns that Quinn can't just pay him off and announces that if this is as big as he thinks it is, Laguerta will be "kissing his ass". He adds that he might call up Deb to arrange a drink and a talk. Quinn pushes Liddy up against the wall and warns him to stay away from him and Deb. Liddy smiles at him and winks before leaving.

Back at the station, Laguerta begins putting the barrel girl murders back on the whiteboard and Batista realizes that she really did change her mind. Laguerta admits that she read the report and Batista thanks her. Laguerta asks if this means he will stop sleeping on the couch, but Batista replies: "We still got a long way to go between the couch and the bedroom." On the other side of the room, Deb refuses to talk to Quinn as he explains that he dropped his "idiot theory" about Dexter. "Because Laguerta suspected you," Deb snaps. Quinn admits that he was wrong and reveals that he meant it when he said he loved her. "I'd never do anything to hurt you, ever," he says. Deb replies: "I trusted you and while you were f**king me you were spreading s**t about my brother behind my back. You think that's not hurting me? F**k you."

Meanwhile, Dexter drives Olivia home and asks if she wants him to come inside with her. Olivia explains that she will be alright and adds that her mom told her that Barry did her a favor by leaving. "He told her she has a fat ass," she grins. "He is not coming back." She gets out of the car and thanks Dexter, before hugging her mother. Dexter drives Astor to her grandparents' and promises not to tell them about her getting drunk and shoplifting, but warns that things will be different if it happens again. He asks her to tell him if Barry shows up again. "I'm proud of you," he adds. "You put yourself out there for another person." Astor admits that she wants to know if Lumen is Dexter's girlfriend. "OK," Dexter replies. "But she's not." Astor insists that Lumen is more than a tenant and Dexter admits that she is a friend who has been through some "really, really bad stuff". "I'm helping her deal with it," he explains. Astor asks if being there for Lumen makes him feel better about what happened to Rita. Dexter pauses before saying: "I love you, you know that?" Astor smiles and tells him to come in to say hello to Cody. Dexter warns that it will blow her cover about Miami but Astor nods. As they get Harrison out of the car, he drops his toy and says: "Mumma."

Dexter arrives back at work and explains that he needs to get an ID on the blood sample from Jordan's necklace. Masuka hands him his results and he realizes the blood belongs to Emily Birch, who is alive and has received two DUIs in three years. "I guess I messed up," Dexter mumbles. He thinks: "If she's not a victim, who is she?"

Lumen is at home and picks up the phone, expecting Dexter. "It's Jordan Chase looking for Dexter," she hears. "Is he there?" Lumen suddenly begins panicking and, trying to hold back tears, explains that Dexter is not available. Jordan asks to leave a message, saying: "Tell him I'm just checking in and I'd like him to schedule another appointment as soon as possible." Lumen agrees and begins to hang up, but Jordan says he wants her to tell Dexter one more thing. "Tell him time is of the essence," he says. "Tick, tick, tick, that's the sound of his life running out. Could you be sure to tell him that? Take care, Lumen." As Lumen gasps, the episode ends.